Page 12 of Meant To Be - Irresistible Bachelors

Seeing her on stage reminds me of myself when I was her age, back when I used to blow the crowds away. After touring nonstop, I lost my inspiration to make music. I needed something to remind me how good it felt to stand on that stage, but I never found it…until now. She is the muse I’ve been searching for. I’ve never felt as inspired as I do right now, staring at her. She’s what has been missing from my life all along.

6

Nikki

Our glasses are all held up high as Rocky makes a speech. He’s always in a good mood, but tonight, he’s raving about how successful the concert was. I’ve got to admit: I’m even a little surprised about how well things went. I wasn’t sure how my fans would react to Leo’s music, or if the moms in the audience would like my performance, but by the end of the night, the entire crowd was applauding.

Leo was amazing on stage; it was if he’d never left. I couldn’t believe that he actually glanced over at me while he sang “Blissful Even,” like he said he would. I thought my heart was going to stop. His voice gave me chills as I stood backstage watching him perform, and I sang along to every one of his songs. It felt like I was in a dream as I listened to him play the guitar. Watching him cradle it in his arms made me envious. I would have given anything to be that guitar, to be held so tightly by him.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he sang all his greatest hits. I felt captivated by his voice, a prisoner to every melody that flowed from his sweet lips. I felt like every song he was singing was about me. Like he was talking to me and only me. His voice made everyone else disappear, leaving only the two of us in our own harmonious world. When the music stopped, I realized that we weren’t alone and that everything I had imagined was just a fantasy.

“To Nikki and Leo!” Rocky toasts as he finishes his speech.

“To Nikki and Leo!” everyone repeats in unison.

I lower my glass of sparkling water and take a sip. Leo is standing off to the side by himself, and I can see him out the corner of my eye. My dancers are all surrounding me, smiling and having a good time, but I wish I could sneak away for one quick second to be alone with him. I want to congratulate him and thank him for coming on tour with me. Tonight’s show wouldn’t have been half the success it was without him.

I sneak a peek in his direction again, but he isn’t even looking my way. He hasn’t glanced at me once since he left the stage. Maybe I had imagined the chemistry between us in his dressing room. My mind must have been playing tricks on me because for a second, I could have sworn he was attracted to me too, but now I’m starting to question if it was all in my head. With rosy cheeks, Rocky walks in my direction.

“Nikki, baby, you were wonderful!” he exclaims.

“Thank you, Rocky,” I say with a smile.

The portly man has already had one drink too many, and it’s starting to show.

“You’re welcome, kid. I told you this tour was a good idea. You and Leo are a match made in heaven.” He takes a sip of champagne. “By the way, have you met him yet?” he asks.

Before I can give an answer, he beckons Leo from across the room.

“Leo! Come here, I want you to meet Nikki.”

My cheeks turn a blushing pink. Oh gosh, here he comes! Every step the bad boy takes toward me makes my heart beat faster. His icy blue eyes stare into mine, making me feel weak all over. My body yearns to be held in his big, strong arms, and my lips ache for his kiss. I try to keep my cool, but his gorgeous face is making it damn near impossible.

Rocky pulls me toward Leo, making it harder for me to escape his gaze. Leo grins as if he’s knows I’m caught in his trap. Time slows down around us, and as I look into his eyes, everyone else around us vanishes. He looks incredibly hot in his leather jacket and jeans, and I can hardly keep my hands off him. Rocky puts his arm around my shoulder, then stands on his tiptoes to sling his other arm around Leo’s. He pulls us in close, and I can smell Leo’s sweet aroma again.

“Nikki, this is the king of rock and roll, Leo Colt,” Rocky says as he turns toward Leo. “And Leo, this is Nikki Minx, the number one selling pop diva in the world.”

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